Tele-Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Hybrid Form Compared With Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Impact in the Medium and Long Term

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to study the noninferiority of functional capacity and quality of life between hybrid tele-pulmonary rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

Design: Sixty-four participants underwent a 5-wk pulmonary rehabilitation program and were divided into two groups: a pulmonary rehabilitation group and a hybrid tele-pulmonary rehabilitation group.The 6-Minute Walk Test, a time limit test, the Single-Leg Stance Test, and the Sit-to-Stand Test were used to evaluate functional capacity, whereas quality of life was self-evaluated using the VQ11 questionnaire.

Results: Both groups had improved their performances in the 6-Minute Walk Test and time limit test, their strength capacity in the Sit-to-Stand Test, and their balance in the Single-Leg Stance Test to a similar extent (P < 0.001) after the 5-wk program. For the quality of life, a more pronounced improvement for the hybrid tele-pulmonary rehabilitation group was observed (P < 0.001) 7 wks and 1 yr after the end of the program.

Conclusions: The effectiveness hybrid tele-pulmonary rehabilitation protocol seems to be comparable to that of the conventional model. Hybrid tele-pulmonary rehabilitation is not inferior with improvements in functional capacity and quality of life.